tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59164737447159304812018-12-17T00:01:46.759-07:00Welcome to the EdgeBlog of Author &amp; Artist Heather R. HoldenHeather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.comBlogger416125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-11126896312843053082017-11-28T17:49:00.000-07:002017-11-28T17:49:49.400-07:00My Last PostHere on this blog, at least. That’s because I started <a href="http://uniquelyholden.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">a new one</a>. Why, you ask? ‘Cause I’m rebranding. This is something I’ve been tempted to do for years, and even revealed to my patrons a few months back, but waited to share publicly, since I wanted to secure the domain name first. I’m leaving this blog up for now, to avoid broken links, but I do have new urls for my <a href="https://twitter.com/uniquelyholden" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.patreon.com/uniquelyholden" target="_blank">Patreon</a>, and <a href="https://gumroad.com/uniquelyholden" target="_blank">Gumroad shop</a>&nbsp;to match the domain. Please <a href="http://uniquelyholden.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">click here</a> if any of you wish to still follow me around the blogosphere!Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-24693016436606247772017-11-21T23:00:00.000-07:002017-11-21T23:00:41.531-07:00What's AheadAnyone want to learn more about <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2017/09/gone.html" target="_blank">Tess and Jay’s father</a>, Ethan? Well, I have good news for the few of you who might, because…<br /><br />1) A short story about his path to <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2017/01/what-is-that.html" target="_blank">vampirism</a> has been in the works since January.<br /><br />2) Everyone supporting me on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">Patreon</a> can see <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/wip-page-3-of-9699679" target="_blank">WIPs</a> of that story&nbsp;<a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/another-wip-of-10449930" target="_blank">already</a>.<br /><br />3) Patrons can also see concept art of Ethan’s human life! <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-ethans-7898974" target="_blank">The first</a> is a Patreon exclusive, but <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/exclusive-first-15289943" target="_blank">the second</a> will be posted publicly. Can’t share it with you guys yet, since I like to let $5 patrons see new art weeks in advance, but here’s a preview, in the meantime…<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1-8I6CbXGc/WhUGgO-DzzI/AAAAAAAAE3o/aSlcDv8lae0Tyr8vlY-DN7rvbH5Z2ewOQCKgBGAs/s1600/Preview_UoM_EthanTheSalesman.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="579" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1-8I6CbXGc/WhUGgO-DzzI/AAAAAAAAE3o/aSlcDv8lae0Tyr8vlY-DN7rvbH5Z2ewOQCKgBGAs/s1600/Preview_UoM_EthanTheSalesman.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/exclusive-first-15289943" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see this comic strip in full now!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Couldn’t care less about Ethan? (<strike>Shame on you; he’s awesome</strike>.) Don’t worry, I also completed some ACEOs of <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/exclusive-first-14747267" target="_blank">Spencer</a> and <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/exclusive-first-14811872" target="_blank">Jay</a> back in October! Those should show up on my blog or <a href="https://twitter.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">Twitter</a> sometime soonish…Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-32477668966268738412017-11-07T00:00:00.000-07:002017-11-07T00:00:01.928-07:00A Cutesy WIP 'Cause Why NotRemember <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2017/05/protect-your-human.html" target="_blank">Spencer’s kitty friend</a>? He’s warming up to her! (<a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2017/03/my-son-vampire.html" target="_blank">His father Leroy</a> is going to need a little more convincing, though…)<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ukFNO26UGuo/WgE0B_HhO_I/AAAAAAAAE2g/dkUXlEaLNSkfp4R-x2nWh3gelKA1IEIjQCLcBGAs/s1600/2017_WIP_UoM_NoCatsAllowed_Twitter.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ukFNO26UGuo/WgE0B_HhO_I/AAAAAAAAE2g/dkUXlEaLNSkfp4R-x2nWh3gelKA1IEIjQCLcBGAs/s400/2017_WIP_UoM_NoCatsAllowed_Twitter.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Boop!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />This WIP is from a three-panel comic strip I’ve been illustrating, based on <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2017/01/hello.html" target="_blank">Spencer’s human past</a>. A high-res version, without the watermark, can be seen <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/wip-no-cats-15209147" target="_blank">on Patreon</a>. I share WIPs all the time there, so anyone who enjoys content like this should <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">come join the fun</a>!Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-88639330534375021822017-10-31T00:00:00.000-07:002017-10-31T00:00:39.354-07:00Trick or Treat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3mEW3JoZDA/WfgbooNtWFI/AAAAAAAAE2A/XDZu1jZsi24eZZXxn5m571DnD4QxxzeqACLcBGAs/s1600/2017_UoM_TrickOrTreat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="500" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3mEW3JoZDA/WfgbooNtWFI/AAAAAAAAE2A/XDZu1jZsi24eZZXxn5m571DnD4QxxzeqACLcBGAs/s1600/2017_UoM_TrickOrTreat.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Come join me on Patreon to see the above artwork in <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/trick-or-treat-15133963" target="_blank">high-resolution</a>, the very messy <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-trick-or-15116599" target="_blank">original sketch</a>, and even what Jay named <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/wip-trick-or-14428165" target="_blank">those Jack-O'-Lanterns</a>!</div>Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-3648977833563431982017-10-24T23:55:00.000-07:002017-10-24T23:55:10.232-07:00Odds and EndsHalloween is almost here! In case anyone missed these on my side blog for <i>Echo Effect</i>, I created two new ACEOs of Nicholas preparing for the holiday. You guys can view them <a href="https://echoeffectcomic.blogspot.com/2017/10/halloween-giveaway-winner.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://echoeffectcomic.blogspot.com/2017/10/extra-more-halloween-treats-aceo.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />I’ve also been working on some Halloween art for <i>The Undeath of Me</i>. Despite starting it over a month ago, I’m not confident I’ll be able to complete this particular piece in time. Everyone supporting me on Patreon can already get <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/wip-trick-or-14428165" target="_blank">a glimpse of the WIP</a>, though! (<a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/another-wip-of-14661109" target="_blank">Twice</a>!)<br /><br />And, of course, it’s Asexual Awareness Week! I’m celebrating with <a href="http://echoeffectcomic.blogspot.com/2017/10/extra-ace-nicholas-aceo.html" target="_blank">this ACEO of Nicholas</a>. (He’s not my only asexual character—I have many, many others—but he happened to be the only one I had time to draw.)<br /><br />Hope you're all having a happy October!Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-46183366324861680662017-10-11T01:53:00.000-07:002017-10-12T05:26:58.261-07:00Halloween Giveaway - Ending Soon!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R1ZDSWCRyhc/Wd3aihZBjsI/AAAAAAAAE0I/A8G4FiWN3dgSYDJhAMiUtMn07uH8lzRLACKgBGAs/s1600/2017_Giveaway_EE_HalloweenTreat_ACEO.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="649" height="185" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R1ZDSWCRyhc/Wd3aihZBjsI/AAAAAAAAE0I/A8G4FiWN3dgSYDJhAMiUtMn07uH8lzRLACKgBGAs/s400/2017_Giveaway_EE_HalloweenTreat_ACEO.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />Are you a fan of <i>Echo Effect</i> and Halloween? Then come check out <a href="http://echoeffectcomic.blogspot.com/2017/10/halloween-giveaway.html" target="_blank">my ACEO giveaway</a>! A winner will be chosen on Friday the 13th, so enter now if you want a chance to own some one-of-a-kind art...Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-25063216265046966722017-10-01T03:47:00.000-07:002017-10-01T03:47:20.474-07:00DanceThis past summer, I had <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">my patrons</a> vote on which characters they wanted to see in my wallpapers next. Spencer and Jay were one of the winning choices in that poll. Because I had always wanted to do a continuation of <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2016/08/lets-dance.html" target="_blank">this piece of art</a>, I decided to go with that idea for my latest wallpaper.<br /><br />Jay's very persuasive, obviously...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-auyEHVQOkF4/WdC96EZ9siI/AAAAAAAAEzc/ZjMYb5mvU2MxhQbfSse-x0JNVg4GzaSUwCLcBGAs/s1600/2017_Preview_UoM_Dance.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-auyEHVQOkF4/WdC96EZ9siI/AAAAAAAAEzc/ZjMYb5mvU2MxhQbfSse-x0JNVg4GzaSUwCLcBGAs/s400/2017_Preview_UoM_Dance.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />Everyone supporting me on Patreon can download this wallpaper <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/wallpaper-dance-14635053" target="_blank">here</a>. (Patrons with higher pledges can also see&nbsp;<a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-dance-14462772" target="_blank">the original sketch</a>!) Not a patron, but still want to see these two being adorable on your desktop? You can <a href="https://gumroad.com/l/MIYVN" target="_blank">download it from my online shop</a> for just $1!Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-48758414721683325762017-09-09T02:46:00.000-07:002017-09-09T02:46:05.259-07:00GoneYou’ve all been eager to see more concept art of <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2017/01/what-is-that.html" target="_blank">Tess and Jay’s childhood</a>, right? No? Well, too bad, ‘cause that’s what I’m posting today!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HbCnFG1WNUM/WbN54sYVptI/AAAAAAAAExc/WJUINC1ligEpnyf6p0GynQI5Molz2i4vQCLcBGAs/s1600/2017_UoM_Gone_Blogspot.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="580" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HbCnFG1WNUM/WbN54sYVptI/AAAAAAAAExc/WJUINC1ligEpnyf6p0GynQI5Molz2i4vQCLcBGAs/s1600/2017_UoM_Gone_Blogspot.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">…aaaand Ethan never talks about his wife again.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Because of how secretive Ethan is, Tess and Jay still argue about exactly what happened to their mom years later. (Tess is convinced their dad killed her. Jay thinks it's possible that she simply ran off.)<br /><br />Everyone supporting me on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">Patreon</a> can see a high-res version of this comic strip <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/gone-14296088" target="_blank">here</a>. Want to learn more about Ethan in general? Patrons also have access to WIPs and art of his time as a human!Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-53169098574628060832017-08-14T20:39:00.000-07:002017-08-14T20:39:14.700-07:00An Update<a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2017/07/echo-effect-plus-other-changes.html" target="_blank">Last month</a>, I alluded to some changes I’m in the middle of implementing. Unfortunately, I still can’t share much yet, but I <i>will</i> reveal what one of those changes are, so you guys can better understand why I’ve been quiet here lately…<br /><br />My site’s moving to a new webhost.<br /><br />While I’ll miss aspects of my current one, I’ve had enough issues with it over the years that I wanted to explore my options. And I’m glad I did, since this new webhost will make managing my webcomics so much easier. Have already transferred over 90 pages worth of content there and only have about 250 left to go.<br /><br />It’ll be a while before you guys can see my new website, but not because of the work involved. Websites cost money, which I don’t have much of, as an artist. Been spending long hours every day doing whatever I can to supplement my income. Might have the means to launch this website before the end of the year, but because of how pesky life can be, I can’t guarantee that.<br /><br />Anyone who wants to help, in the meantime, can check out <a href="https://gumroad.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">my online shop</a>, where I have desktop wallpapers for sale. I’m also available for <a href="http://edgyauthor.com/commissions" target="_blank">art commissions</a>!<br /><br />And, of course, <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">supporting me on Patreon</a> is an option, too. For just $1, patrons get access to WIPs, high-res art, and early announcements. Everyone pledging $5 can also see new art before everyone else—sometimes months in advance!—as well as content that will <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor/posts?tag=patreon%20exclusive" target="_blank">never be posted anywhere else</a>.<br /><br />If you’re an <i><a href="http://echoeffectcomic.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Echo Effect</a></i> fan, Patreon is an especially good place to be right now. That’s because this webcomic is still updating regularly for $5 patrons, despite being on hiatus elsewhere. (They’re already six strips ahead of everyone else!) Not a patron? Here’s a glimpse of what you’re missing…<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6H5bkEDvMk/WZJYlpBGoWI/AAAAAAAAExM/18qg86wR3BgWTFQJ2uGrogNkOB-WBoQ7ACLcBGAs/s1600/2017_EE_Spoilers%2521%2521.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="544" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6H5bkEDvMk/WZJYlpBGoWI/AAAAAAAAExM/18qg86wR3BgWTFQJ2uGrogNkOB-WBoQ7ACLcBGAs/s1600/2017_EE_Spoilers%2521%2521.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything's fine, obviously.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Already a fan of <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2017/05/two-years-latera-title-reveal.html" target="_blank">that horror comic</a> I’m developing? I post lots of fun content for <i>The Undeath of Me</i> there, too!<br /><br />I still have a lot of work ahead of me, so I’ll end this post here. Maybe collapse from exhaustion, too…Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-46435318629688571362017-07-08T02:09:00.000-07:002017-07-08T02:09:18.942-07:00Echo Effect, Plus Other ChangesAnyone who’s visited my website recently may have noticed that all my <i>Echo Effect</i> strips have been replaced with this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H4DwKUeOnEc/WWCeoePNGsI/AAAAAAAAEw8/vJ5ICfJZqfgbqIePitZzfpVZrDWVr1dIQCLcBGAs/s1600/Photobucket%2BErases%2BEcho%2BEffect.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="444" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H4DwKUeOnEc/WWCeoePNGsI/AAAAAAAAEw8/vJ5ICfJZqfgbqIePitZzfpVZrDWVr1dIQCLcBGAs/s1600/Photobucket%2BErases%2BEcho%2BEffect.png" /></a></div><br />That’s because Photobucket no longer allows its users to share images, unless they fork $400 over to them each year. So…yeah, no more Photobucket for me.<br /><br />As annoying as this is, I’m actually fine with it. <i>Echo Effect</i> is currently <a href="http://echoeffectcomic.blogspot.com/2017/04/extra-not-yet-hiatus-announcement.html" target="_blank">on hiatus</a>, so if a mess like this <i>had</i> to happen, now’s the perfect time. Besides doing damage control for this, I’m in the middle of some other major changes that I hope to reveal more about by summer’s end. (<a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-changes-12646547" target="_blank">Patrons can learn what those changes are now</a>, however.) Anyone wanting to read <i>Echo Effect</i> can do so over at <a href="http://echoeffectcomic.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">its backup site</a>, in the meantime!Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-80864048671748773182017-06-13T04:00:00.000-07:002017-06-13T04:00:11.215-07:00Loves Me NotDid you know that, in some lore, wild roses are a vampire deterrent?<br /><br />Jay knows...and he has way too much fun with this fact.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UdZbEIx19nM/WTgeKNvsv-I/AAAAAAAAEwQ/TpXg5V8VekYEnHAGUHArEke1s-fRJ1WYQCLcB/s1600/2017_UoM_LovesMeNot.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="555" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UdZbEIx19nM/WTgeKNvsv-I/AAAAAAAAEwQ/TpXg5V8VekYEnHAGUHArEke1s-fRJ1WYQCLcB/s1600/2017_UoM_LovesMeNot.png" /></a></div><br />(No one tell Jay that Spencer’s the son of a florist. The irony would make him want to tease Spencer even more.)<br /><br />As always, <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/loves-me-not-11712240" target="_blank">a high-res version</a> of this art is available for all <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">my patrons</a>! Everyone pledging at least $5 can also see what this was shaping up to look like back when it was <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-loves-me-11471521" target="_blank">a traditional piece</a>.<br /><br />That’s right, I hadn’t intended for this to be digital in any way. Unfortunately, the new watercolor paper I was using was <i>terrible</i>, and I even got some blood on it, too. (Thanks, diabetes.) To salvage this piece, I decided to just scan it, touch up the linework, and overlay it with digital colors. Wouldn’t have any art to share with you guys today otherwise!Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-44078699808452436632017-06-07T04:00:00.000-07:002017-06-07T04:00:31.008-07:00Cover Reveal: The Shells of Mersing by Sharon Marie Himsl<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Author </i><a href="https://shells-tales-sails.blogspot.com/" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Sharon Marie Himsl</a><i> has a new book coming out this summer! The cover for </i>The Shells of Mersing<i> is beyond stunning, so I'm honored to be helping out with its reveal today. Read on to learn more about this exciting new book...</i></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Shells of Mersing</span></b></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jbTsd-3SPt0/WTdiTlCM9PI/AAAAAAAAEv4/-G-SrOJPWXUKsFAa5tdOoCJqFZ63rKQbgCLcB/s1600/The-Shells-of-Mersing-evernightpublishing-JayAheer2017-finalimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jbTsd-3SPt0/WTdiTlCM9PI/AAAAAAAAEv4/-G-SrOJPWXUKsFAa5tdOoCJqFZ63rKQbgCLcB/s400/The-Shells-of-Mersing-evernightpublishing-JayAheer2017-finalimage.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Title: The Shells of Mersing</b><br /><b>Author: Sharon Marie Himsl</b><br /><b>Publisher: Evernight Teen</b><br /><b>Release Date: July 2017</b></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Blurb</b><br /><b><br /></b></div>When notorious Uncle Azman disobeys orders, and sends Callie and Lucas to meet their mother's long lost family in Malaysia, fourteen-year-old Callie believes their troubles are over. After all they've endured, what more could go wrong?<br /><br />Their American dad is dead, Mom is missing, and their foster dad in Seattle was murdered, with Callie falsely accused. If that wasn't enough, Callie and eight-year-old Lucas stowed aboard a sailboat to escape, only to be targeted by their uncle’s boss in Hawaii upon arrival for immediate sale in Thailand’s human trafficking market.<br /><br />Disguised in case Azman’s boss sends someone after them, Callie believes it’s simply a matter of time. They need to find safety with family in Mersing and begin the search for Mom, but a shell box, a ruby, and a boy from Chicago named Sam are about to change everything. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Bio</b><br /><b><br /></b></div>Sharon loves adventure. Whether traveling through Malaysia on a jungle train, sailing in the San Juan Islands, or flying in an experimental airplane she helped her husband build, her life has been on a road less traveled. She has experienced hurricanes tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes, and more. She has seen sunsets that take your breath away.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7bvoUWm5e0/WTdj96q4VOI/AAAAAAAAEwA/A7lV1lu-tnECJRobWjsqLVwnjc-iW-EtwCLcB/s1600/sharon-pic2014-retourched.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7bvoUWm5e0/WTdj96q4VOI/AAAAAAAAEwA/A7lV1lu-tnECJRobWjsqLVwnjc-iW-EtwCLcB/s320/sharon-pic2014-retourched.png" width="240" /></a></div><br />Her first publishing credit was as a travel writer in Malaysia, traveling by rail from Kluang to Kota Bharu on the now defunct "jungle train." Some of the Malaysian and Thai settings and characters she later wrote about in her novel, <i>The Shells of Mersing</i>, came from her experience living in Malaysia and the diary she kept.<br /><br />She later edited, researched, and wrote young adult nonfiction for two educational publishers, Greenhaven Press and Lucent Books. Her interest in history stems from a degree in American Studies. Her day job at Washington State University also included editing science papers, articles, and books.<br /><br />As a storyteller, Sharon knows that facts and life experiences are the foundation of good storytelling. If she were to credit one life experience behind wanting to be a writer, it would be the term paper she wrote in the ninth grade on the bubonic plague. "I don't know why, but I have always remembered the pride I felt writing that paper," Sharon said. And if she were to credit a character in a book who inspired her, it would be “Jo March” in <i>Little Women</i> by Louisa May Alcott. Jo wanted to be a writer. <br /><br />Today Sharon is working on a second novel at home in Central Washington, where she lives with her husband on the edge of a desert runway . . . but that's another story!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jzre6vqpbpw/WTdjjDZVH3I/AAAAAAAAEv8/T_1Yide83ecNbKDzMypHbMtPmIreocRfwCLcB/s1600/The-Shells-of-Mersing-evernightpublishing-JayAheer2017-eReader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jzre6vqpbpw/WTdjjDZVH3I/AAAAAAAAEv8/T_1Yide83ecNbKDzMypHbMtPmIreocRfwCLcB/s400/The-Shells-of-Mersing-evernightpublishing-JayAheer2017-eReader.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>[“Special thanks” to Jay Aheer, Evernight’s talented digital artist]</b></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Social Media</b></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35238805-the-shells-of-mersing" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://shells-tales-sails.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a> | <a href="http://sharonmhimsl.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Author Page</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/smhimsl" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/smhimsl/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sharonmhimsl/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharonmhimsl" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b></div>Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-43199050207253795762017-05-31T04:00:00.000-07:002017-05-31T04:00:07.975-07:00Two Years Later...A Title Reveal!Last week on <a href="https://twitter.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, I did a poll to see if people were interested in learning the title of my horror comic. I’ve known what it is since 2015, and <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">my patrons</a> have known it since 2016, but I’ve yet to reveal it publicly. I always feel weird referencing this series as simply “my horror comic,” so even though it’s nowhere near ready to debut yet, I wondered if I should just go ahead and spill what it’s called already. Because I’m one of the most indecisive people you’ll ever meet, I left the decision up to fate, hence the Twitter poll.<br /><br />Most said, “Yes.”<br /><br />Needless to say, I’m doing a title reveal today! First, though, I’m going to refresh you all on what my horror comic actually <i>is</i>, since 20% of my pollers had never even heard of it, despite me posting about it nonstop for two years. (Haha, welp.)<br /><br />The comic stars Spencer, a nearsighted vampire, and Jay, a diabetic dhampir. They have <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2016/05/spencer-and-jay.html" target="_blank">shenanigans</a>. (Some <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2016/07/again.html" target="_blank">bloody</a>, some...<a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2017/02/valentine.html" target="_blank">not</a>.) Jay’s older sister <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-corpse-agrees.html" target="_blank">Tess</a> does not approve of <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2017/03/kill-or-be-killed.html" target="_blank">these shenanigans</a>. She’s been anti-vampire since childhood, thanks to <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2017/01/what-is-that.html" target="_blank">their dad</a> becoming one, and wants to keep Jay out of that world.<br /><br />Besides the main series—which I expect to be two volumes long—there will be side stories that explore certain characters more intimately. (One focuses on Spencer’s <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2017/03/my-son-vampire.html" target="_blank">descent into vampirism</a>, during <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2016/08/winter-blues.html" target="_blank">the winter of 1955</a>, for example.) While this series definitely delves into <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2016/10/corn-maze.html" target="_blank">the more comedic side of horror</a>, it’s still dark—darker than most of my concept art will allow—so expect it to be tragic at times, too.<br /><br />Also expect it to be called <i>The Undeath of Me</i>, ‘cause that’s what the title is.<br /><br />That’s it, you ask? Yeah, that’s it. Apologies if you thought the title was going to be a lot grander, after two years of me hiding it. I’m quite fond of it and feel this fits the comedic tone of the series, so I hope you all like it, too...Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-90943933949612386012017-05-24T17:24:00.000-07:002017-05-31T03:48:25.257-07:00Protect Your HumanAs some of you may remember, I’m working on a prequel about Spencer’s pre-vampire past. He used to be <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2016/06/everythings-fine.html" target="_blank">a pretty big scaredy-cat</a> back then. <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2017/01/hello.html" target="_blank">His kitty friend</a> had never been, though!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NFMDVpPqOjc/WSYO7M9e-mI/AAAAAAAAEvY/jFG-FOQnpJU8kF4LYhZNy2MXEti7sDxeACLcB/s1600/2017_UoM_ProtectYourHuman.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="567" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NFMDVpPqOjc/WSYO7M9e-mI/AAAAAAAAEvY/jFG-FOQnpJU8kF4LYhZNy2MXEti7sDxeACLcB/s1600/2017_UoM_ProtectYourHuman.png" /></a></div><br />I created this with watercolor pencils and ink, on watercolor paper. To see a high-res version, simply join me on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">Patreon</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/protect-your-11354989" target="_blank">click here</a>.&nbsp;Want to see what this looked like before it was inked/colored? <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-protect-11007055" target="_blank">Click here</a> instead!Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-56145405851544111002017-05-13T00:00:00.000-07:002017-05-13T00:00:36.288-07:00Kidnapped Idol<a href="http://www.ja-bennett.com/" target="_blank">Jennie Bennett’s</a> <i>Kidnapped Idol</i> will be launching on <a href="https://tapas.io/" target="_blank">Tapas</a> on May 15th…and I drew the cover! <a href="https://tapas.io/jenniebennett" target="_blank">Click here</a> to keep up with her work there. Want to commission me for your own art needs? <a href="http://www.edgyauthor.com/commissions" target="_blank">You can do that, too</a>! Here’s the cover I illustrated, in the meantime…<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j_esEgbYpzE/WRKSywZEVLI/AAAAAAAAEvI/OEwSkIPIPwcjqeIYJtZOsUj4ffRtd-3jgCLcB/s1600/2017_Commission_KidnappedIdolCover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j_esEgbYpzE/WRKSywZEVLI/AAAAAAAAEvI/OEwSkIPIPwcjqeIYJtZOsUj4ffRtd-3jgCLcB/s1600/2017_Commission_KidnappedIdolCover.png" /></a></div>Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-13955333906958271812017-05-06T00:00:00.000-07:002017-05-06T00:00:17.784-07:0028 YearsToday’s my birthday! It’s also <a href="http://www.freecomicbookday.com/" target="_blank">Free Comic Book Day.</a> Celebrate by reading my webcomic <i><a href="http://edgyauthor.com/echo-effect" target="_blank">Echo Effect</a></i>, which is free year-round!<br /><br />Want to make my birthday extra special? <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">Become a patron!</a> I share lots of fun stuff there, including exclusives never posted anywhere else. So, really, <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">Patreon</a> is a gift for you as much as it is for me!<br /><br />(Yes, I realize this post is nothing but a shameless promo. No, I won't apologize. It <i>is</i> my birthday, after all; I can do what I want!)Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-65488487251281322082017-04-13T00:00:00.000-07:002017-05-31T03:51:18.543-07:00Latest ACEOsBack in February, I had an ACEO giveaway. (ACEOs are miniature pieces of art that measure 2.5x3.5 inches in size. Mine are created with watercolor pencils and ink.) One winner requested <a href="http://edgyauthor.com/echo-effect" target="_blank">Nicholas</a>, before he was scarred, and the other requested Spencer, a vampire in the horror comic I'm developing.&nbsp;These were the result…<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-alNOY83eS3A/WO8KxWQzoqI/AAAAAAAAEuA/WT5Ahp-B3eI_G6kHVn1e5ONau9SV22pywCLcB/s1600/2017_March_ACEO_EE_Nicholas.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-alNOY83eS3A/WO8KxWQzoqI/AAAAAAAAEuA/WT5Ahp-B3eI_G6kHVn1e5ONau9SV22pywCLcB/s1600/2017_March_ACEO_EE_Nicholas.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/nicholas-aceo-8723624" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see a high-res version on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">Patreon</a>!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ey65ZsboFz0/WO8KxblYgJI/AAAAAAAAEuE/O79kliE1yw0H_Z8kpP2ZKzIZmDiJkOF6gCLcB/s1600/2017_March_ACEO_UoM_Spencer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ey65ZsboFz0/WO8KxblYgJI/AAAAAAAAEuE/O79kliE1yw0H_Z8kpP2ZKzIZmDiJkOF6gCLcB/s1600/2017_March_ACEO_UoM_Spencer.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/spencer-aceo-8662960" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see a high-res version on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">Patreon</a>!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Didn't win, but still want some custom art like this? I'll probably host another giveaway eventually, and am even planning to offer ACEO <a href="http://edgyauthor.com/commissions" target="_blank">commissions</a>&nbsp;someday, so keep a lookout for that!</div>Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-60810549915940476312017-03-24T00:00:00.000-07:002017-05-31T03:43:43.519-07:00Kill or be KilledJay likes <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2017/02/valentine.html" target="_blank">hanging out with Spencer</a>, for some <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2016/10/corn-maze.html" target="_blank">unfathomable</a> reason. There are times where Spencer even likes <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2016/07/again.html" target="_blank">to hang out with Jay</a>.<br /><br />This...uh, really isn't a good thing...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zh4dM15M_X4/WMyQTgmvZ9I/AAAAAAAAEtU/RrzBT6Gm_xQiNBLKoPE4qtWy8Ys2FskfQCLcB/s1600/2017_UoM_SpencerTheStalkerPt1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zh4dM15M_X4/WMyQTgmvZ9I/AAAAAAAAEtU/RrzBT6Gm_xQiNBLKoPE4qtWy8Ys2FskfQCLcB/s1600/2017_UoM_SpencerTheStalkerPt1.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/spencer-stalker-8549409" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see a high-res version on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">Patreon</a>!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Like Jay, I’m a type-1 diabetic with an insulin pump. So, you might be wondering if the above comic is based on a real-life experience. Yes. Yes it is. (Minus the vampire, of course. I don’t <i>think</i> any have ever broken into my bedroom, at the very least!)<br /><br />Also, there’s a part two! Because <i>of course</i> there is…<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jiou6qWMXbg/WMyQaDruRjI/AAAAAAAAEtY/uMF-_A1mroU2UeS986zvFEyWHD3-PVtzwCLcB/s1600/2017_UoM_SpencerTheStalkerPt2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jiou6qWMXbg/WMyQaDruRjI/AAAAAAAAEtY/uMF-_A1mroU2UeS986zvFEyWHD3-PVtzwCLcB/s1600/2017_UoM_SpencerTheStalkerPt2.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/spencer-stalker-8549455" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see a high-res version on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">Patreon</a>!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Whoops, looks like Jay is dead. Bye, Jay! (Just kidding! <strike>Maybe</strike>.)Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-30152509885570214932017-03-17T15:17:00.000-07:002017-05-31T03:43:10.223-07:00Latest on Patreon (Vampire Edition)<a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-nicholas-8340041" target="_blank">New <i>Echo Effect</i> art</a> is up on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">Patreon</a>! This one features an AU where <a href="http://edgyauthor.com/echo-effect" target="_blank">Nicholas</a> is a vampire…<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-awylGJ4S8Bk/WMvSkAkXscI/AAAAAAAAEtE/NSiFZ7RTsjU66YkEoIXy2GCM3vLIhi5rgCLcB/s1600/Gif_AWM_Vampire%2521.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-awylGJ4S8Bk/WMvSkAkXscI/AAAAAAAAEtE/NSiFZ7RTsjU66YkEoIXy2GCM3vLIhi5rgCLcB/s1600/Gif_AWM_Vampire%2521.gif" /></a></div><br />All my characters exist in the same ‘verse, so it’s actually possible for Nicholas to become a vampire someday. (He <i>won’t</i>, but still, he <i>could</i>.)<br /><br />Because this AU is <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor/posts?tag=patreon%20exclusive" target="_blank">a Patreon exclusive</a>, it’ll never be posted anywhere else, not even this blog. <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">Become a patron today</a>&nbsp;to see it!<br /><br />Prefer <i>canonical</i> vampires? I shared <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-spencer-8269844" target="_blank">some exclusive artwork of Spencer</a>&nbsp;recently, too! My latest watercolor WIP even features him, which I posted previews of <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/wip-judging-you-8396496" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/wip-judging-you-8431553" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />Many thanks to everyone who's able to help support me on Patreon! I have heaps more exclusives planned for you guys there. And if you can't afford to pledge, don't worry, I have plenty of art to share on this blog still, too...Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-35874180614300784572017-03-13T00:00:00.000-07:002017-05-31T03:42:17.036-07:00My Son the VampireLeroy is such a good father…<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sVXPqA-FtlM/WMR5fND-HoI/AAAAAAAAEs0/aku1h9mBua0jkbtxZUkHYiL-pbxujNRCgCLcB/s1600/2016_UoM_MySonTheVampire.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sVXPqA-FtlM/WMR5fND-HoI/AAAAAAAAEs0/aku1h9mBua0jkbtxZUkHYiL-pbxujNRCgCLcB/s1600/2016_UoM_MySonTheVampire.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>This is concept art I completed back in December for my horror comic, based on Spencer’s prequel. It was illustrated with watercolor pencils and ink, on watercolor paper. Everyone supporting me on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">Patreon</a> can see a high-res version <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/my-son-vampire-8254806" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />Spencer’s relationship with his dad is the crux of the prequel, so you guys will be seeing a lot more of him eventually. <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2016/06/everythings-fine.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> and <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-dhampir-and-florist.html" target="_blank">here</a> for past artwork of Leroy, in the meantime!Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-35283285594453450402017-03-02T00:00:00.000-07:002017-03-02T00:00:13.143-07:00Cover Reveal: Dark Winds Rising by Mark Noce<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoBodyText"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Today, I'm helping out with the cover reveal for <a href="http://nocestories.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mark Noce's</a> upcoming release, </i>Dark Winds Rising.&nbsp;<i>Read on to learn more about the book in Mark's own words, as well as marvel at the gorgeous cover!</i></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">* * *</div><u><br /></u><u>Dark Winds Rising</u> is the sequel to my debut novel <u>Between Two Fires</u>, and comes out with St. Martin’s Press December 5<sup>th</sup>2017! Today is my cover reveal for the next book in my historical fiction series set in medieval Wales. A big thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the great cover art!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_YeLRHw1g-g/WK3xkmZgeYI/AAAAAAAACw8/uYHq9F57_705ekAldESI6sTSZn6eKsUdACLcB/s1600/Dark%2BWinds%2BRising.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_YeLRHw1g-g/WK3xkmZgeYI/AAAAAAAACw8/uYHq9F57_705ekAldESI6sTSZn6eKsUdACLcB/s640/Dark%2BWinds%2BRising.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Dark Winds Rising (synopsis)<o:p></o:p></u></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />Queen Branwen finds her world once again turned upside down as Pictish raiders harry the shores of her kingdom. Rallying her people once more, she must face her most dangerous foe yet, the Queen of the Picts. Ruthless and cunning, the Pictish Queen turns the Welsh against each other in a bloody civil war, and Branwen must attempt to stop her before her country threatens to tear itself apart. All the while Branwen is heavy with child, and finds her young son’s footsteps dogged by a mysterious assassin. Branwen must somehow defeat the Picts and save her people before the Pictish Queen and a mysterious assassin threaten to destroy their lives from the inside out.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eGFijI2g_vQ/WK3xz2sOSLI/AAAAAAAACxA/lFhEmzMtxAIewHxkRjHQOrrt3Wa-JdNwQCLcB/s1600/Mark%2BNoce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eGFijI2g_vQ/WK3xz2sOSLI/AAAAAAAACxA/lFhEmzMtxAIewHxkRjHQOrrt3Wa-JdNwQCLcB/s320/Mark%2BNoce.jpg" width="212" /> </a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>About the Author</u><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />Mark Noce writes historical fiction with a passion, and eagerly reads everything from fantasy to literature. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, he’s an avid traveler and backpacker, particularly in Europe and North America. He earned his BA and MA from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he also met his beautiful wife. By day, he works as a Technical Writer, having spent much of his career at places like Google and Facebook. When not reading or writing, he’s probably listening to U2, sailing his dad’s boat, or gardening with his family.<br /><br /><u>Dark Winds Rising</u> is his second novel in a historical series published by St. Martin’s Press. His debut novel,&nbsp;<u>Between Two Fires</u>, (also published via St. Martin's Press) is available wherever books are sold. Learn more at <a href="http://www.marknoce.com/">marknoce.com</a> or connect via his <a href="http://www.marknoce.com/contact">newsletter</a> or <a href="http://www.marknoce.com/blog">blog</a>.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><u>Between Two Fires</u>: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Between-Two-Fires-Mark-Noce/dp/125007262X">Amazon</a>/ <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/between-two-fires-mark-noce/1122537645">Barnes &amp; Noble</a> / <a href="http://us.macmillan.com/betweentwofires/marknoce/9781250072627/">Macmillan</a></div></div>Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-1140576503551817342017-02-21T00:56:00.000-07:002017-02-21T00:56:57.079-07:00ACEO Winners, Plus Abducted Life!To celebrate the four-year anniversary of <i><a href="http://edgyauthor.com/echo-effect" target="_blank">Echo Effect</a></i>, as well as the one-year anniversary of <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">my Patreon page</a>, I decided <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2017/02/a-couple-anniversaries-plus-art-giveaway.html" target="_blank">to give away</a> some personalized art of my characters. <a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a> and <a href="http://crystalcollier.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Crystal Collier</a> are the winners. Congrats, guys!<br /><br />If you didn’t win, don’t worry, you can still receive a free ACEO! All you have to do is <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">be a patron</a> and message me with which <i>Echo Effect</i> character you’d like me to draw for you. You'll automatically receive an ACEO at no extra charge. This offer ends when February does, so don’t hesitate to make a request!<br /><br />And since we're already celebrating, guess what? <a href="http://www.patricialynne.com/" target="_blank">Patricia Josephine</a> released a thrilling new book this month! Read on to learn more about&nbsp;<i>Abducted Life</i>...<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;">Abducted Life</h3><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q67poup8DSc/WITZe8-NXhI/AAAAAAAAAyM/Y12LSijW1fEt8XmdXmcurhsN8a1zzfvDQCLcB/s1600/Abducted%2BLife%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q67poup8DSc/WITZe8-NXhI/AAAAAAAAAyM/Y12LSijW1fEt8XmdXmcurhsN8a1zzfvDQCLcB/s400/Abducted%2BLife%2BCover.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>Savannah Janowitz’s perfect life was destroyed the night she and her boyfriend vanished without a trace. When she reappears a year later––alone––she’s a shell of her former self. Robbed of her popularity and her boyfriend, she has no memory of what happened to her. Savannah struggles to move forward as strange, new abilities manifest.<br /><br />Evan Sullivan never gave extra-terrestrials much thought until the night he and Savannah were abducted. While Savannah’s memory was wiped clean, he remembers every horrific detail. Constantly reminded of the experiments that made him less than human, Evan hides in the shadows and watches Savannah rebuild her life without him. But neither can let the other go.<br /><br />When their paths cross, Savannah and Evan finally see a glimmer of their old lives return. As they face what happened to them, they soon discover they aren’t safe. There’s more to fear than what’s hiding in the stars.<br /><br />Available for 99cents at <a href="http://mybook.to/AbductedLife" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;">About the Author</h3><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P3phvP4ZhBc/WITZ2vF8j9I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/nSRePRjIcaA3rC9uRFESCH4woC35n9WXQCLcB/s1600/PatriciaLynneAuthorPic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P3phvP4ZhBc/WITZ2vF8j9I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/nSRePRjIcaA3rC9uRFESCH4woC35n9WXQCLcB/s200/PatriciaLynneAuthorPic.JPG" width="134" /></a></div>Patricia Josephine never set out to become a writer. In fact, she never considered it an option during high school and college. She was all about art. On a whim, she wrote down a story bouncing in her head. That was the start of it and she hasn't regretted a moment. She writes young adult under the name Patricia Lynne.<br /><br />Patricia lives with her husband in Michigan, hopes one day to have what will resemble a small petting zoo, has a fondness for dying her hair the colors of the rainbow, and an obsession with Doctor Who.<br /><br />You can find her lurking on <a href="https://twitter.com/plynne_writes" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108938106639683446081/posts/p/pub" target="_blank">Google+</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13460894.Patricia_Josephinehttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13460894.Patricia_Josephine" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>, and <a href="http://www.wattpad.com/user/patricialynne07" target="_blank">Wattpad</a>. Find the latest news at <a href="http://www.patricialynne.com/" target="_blank">her website</a> or sign up for <a href="http://www.patricialynne.com/newsletter.html" target="_blank">her newsletter.</a> A link to all <a href="http://www.patricialynne.com/my-books.html" target="_blank">her books</a> can be found here.Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-13967167825047850592017-02-13T00:00:00.000-07:002017-05-31T03:41:55.621-07:00ValentineJay and Spencer are ready for Valentine’s Day!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gXsx_nm8BkQ/WKFG-A_MtrI/AAAAAAAAErs/qLCJZWjrjccIY5eALeMqUmvSkW5Gm5okwCLcB/s1600/2017_UoM_Valentine.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gXsx_nm8BkQ/WKFG-A_MtrI/AAAAAAAAErs/qLCJZWjrjccIY5eALeMqUmvSkW5Gm5okwCLcB/s1600/2017_UoM_Valentine.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/valentine-8090775" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see a high-res version on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">Patreon</a>!<br />Want to see the original sketch? <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-sketch-7924964" target="_blank">You can do that, too!</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Spencer’s such a trouper. He got Jay flowers and everything…Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-34669209465289246952017-02-01T05:58:00.000-07:002017-02-01T05:58:21.014-07:00A Couple Anniversaries, Plus an Art Giveaway!<i><a href="http://edgyauthor.com/echo-effect" target="_blank">Echo Effect</a></i> premiered four years ago this month! It’s also been one year since I first launched <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">my Patreon page</a>. To celebrate, I'm offering free, personalized ACEOs of my characters! (ACEOs are art cards measuring 2.5x3.5 inches in size. <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/search/label/aceo" target="_blank">Mine</a>, specifically, are created with watercolor pencils and ink.) Want to win one? Just&nbsp;enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below!<br /><br /><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="4e3fdf8f1" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4e3fdf8f1/" id="rcwidget_e72nqj06" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>There will be two winners total. Should you be one of the lucky ones, I'll email to see which <i>Echo Effect</i> character you'd like drawn for you, then mail the ACEO as soon as it's completed! (March, most likely, but it could easily be sooner, too.)<br /><br />And if you <i>don't</i> win the giveaway, guess what? You can still receive a free ACEO! All you have to do is support me on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">Patreon</a>&nbsp;and message me before March about which character you want. I'll send you a personalized&nbsp;<i>Echo Effect</i> ACEO at no extra cost.&nbsp;(Awesome, right?)<br /><br />Anyway, best of luck to everyone entering the giveaway! Hope my silly, little comics are able to keep entertaining you all, in the meantime...Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916473744715930481.post-48842031902127048772017-01-24T11:00:00.000-07:002017-05-31T03:40:34.870-07:00Some Fun (and Not-So-Fun) NewsFirst, the bad news: <i><a href="http://edgyauthor.com/echo-effect" target="_blank">Echo Effect</a></i> probably won’t return till February at the earliest. My eyes have been in a lot of pain lately, which has made it hard to ink and color on the computer for too long. Even though I’ve been making some good headway despite this, I don’t think I can post a new strip this Friday without pushing myself more than I should. (As a self-employed artist, it’s easy for me to spend 10+ hours on my laptop every day. Been trying to cut that time in half for the sake of my eyes.)<br /><br />I do have some exciting news to share, though! Because I’ve needed to scale back on my computer usage, I’ve had the chance to work on a fun new side project for my horror comic. (No, not <a href="http://edgyauthor.blogspot.com/2017/01/hello.html" target="_blank">Spencer’s prequel</a>. Something else!) While this project <i>will</i> require a computer eventually, I still have a lot of traditional drawing ahead of me before I need to worry about the inking/coloring stage. Everyone supporting me on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">Patreon</a> can learn about this side project <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/horror-project-7859893" target="_blank">here</a>. Will hopefully be able to reveal more about it publicly within the coming weeks!<br /><br />I also posted a two-page comic of Jay and Spencer on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/edgyauthor" target="_blank">Patreon</a> this past week! <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/exclusive-first-7807126" target="_blank">Click here</a> for page one, and <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/exclusive-first-7807217" target="_blank">here</a> for page two. (This is something I’d been working on off/on for months, in case anyone’s wondering why I had the time to finish this, but not a new <i><a href="http://edgyauthor.com/echo-effect" target="_blank">Echo Effect</a></i> strip, haha.) Might be another month or so before I can share this on my blog, but here’s a preview, in the meantime…<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-juqQd8WNXHc/WIeJREDR51I/AAAAAAAAEoI/-MBp99KJ9ls7FB8A6FwCS08rOi3oh1-cQCLcB/s1600/Preview_SpencerTheStalker.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-juqQd8WNXHc/WIeJREDR51I/AAAAAAAAEoI/-MBp99KJ9ls7FB8A6FwCS08rOi3oh1-cQCLcB/s400/Preview_SpencerTheStalker.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />(Jay’s such an elegant sleeper.)<br /><br />Will be logging off soon to work on that side project some more, and probably some other things, too. Hopefully my eyes will recuperate enough for me to spam you all with art and comics again come February!Heather R. Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.com13